Carbon Monoxide: What It Is, What You Can Do To Prevent It
Carbon Monoxide: what is it?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially deadly gas that can be produced by any fuel-burning appliance or equipment that isn't working properly, or isn't adequately vented. This includes any fuel like gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood or coal (including charcoal). Other sources such as running engines (car or generator) inside a closed garage, a blocked chimney or furnace flue can also result in carbon monoxide. Even propane heaters can produce carbon monoxide.
CO is invisible, odorless, tasteless and potentially fatal.
Carbon monoxide gets into your blood stream and won't let your red blood cells carry oxygen to your brain, your heart or other organs. In high concentrations, it can kill in minutes. Even lower levels can accumulate in your bloodstream over time and cause serious illness¹. (See CO Symptoms) Children, pregnant women, people with heart and respiratory conditions and senior citizens are especially vulnerable.
Important information to help you understand and prevent CO poisoning in your home.
To help prevent carbon monoxide buildup in your home, have all heating systems, vents and flues inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified technician. Make sure all fuel-burning appliances are vented to the outdoors. Additional tips that can help cut the risk of CO poisoning include:
- Keep flues and chimneys clean and free of debris.
- Repair rusted or pitted flue pipes leading from your furnace and water heater to the chimney.
- Keep the furnace air intake clear and unobstructed. If your furnace is housed in a small room, make sure it gets adequate fresh air by installing louvered doors or ventilating grills.
- Never use a gas range or unvented space heater (propane, gas, oil or kerosene) to heat your home.
- Keep your garage door open whenever a vehicle is idling inside.
- Start lawn mowers and snow blowers outside, not inside, the garage.
- Never use a barbecue grill inside your home, on an enclosed porch, or in your garage.
The Consumers Energy's Nighthawk CO Detector can help ensure your family's safety.
Follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission's recommendation and equip your home with at least one UL-listed carbon monoxide alarm. Consumers Energy sells what we believe to be the best carbon monoxidedetector available, the "Nighthawk" by Kidde. We make it easy for our customers to purchase, with three interest free monthly installments on your utility bill*, or credit card. After all, your safety is important to us.
*Subject to credit approval by Consumers Energy.
¹ Bacharach Institute of Technical Training
The CO Detector and CO Protection Plan are not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.